§ Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction among applicants for widows' pensions arising from the system of administration, and particularly from the manner in which applicants are personally treated; that it is not uncommon for an applicant to be asked to attend for an interview and produce various certificates and other papers at a few hours' notice; that papers produced at such interviews are frequently retained by the interviewing officers without a receipt of any kind being given; that when complaint is made it is announced that insurance cards will not be returned to the applicant but to the approved society or the Employment Exchange; and that a widow whose husband had died within the past few weeks was asked verbally if she had since remarried, in spite of the fact that the question had been already answered in writing on the application form; and whether he will take immediate steps to issue instructions that these and other complaints shall be fully met?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware of the existence of any widespread dissatisfaction such as is mentioned by the hon. Member, who will, of course, appreciate the need of the most careful inquiry before admittance of a claim. It is the fact that applicants are required, if they have them, to produce to the Investigating Officer any certificates or other documents which would assist in establishing the title to pension and to answer any questions which he may deem necessary in order to satisfy him-852W self of the bona fides of the claim. Due notice in writing is given of any visit and, whenever possible, the applicant is asked on the form to give two alternative dates if the dale suggested for the interview is inconvenient. It is the practice of Investigating Officers to retain possession of any Health Insurance cards or Unemployment Insurance books, as such cards and books are the property of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour respectively, and should have been surrendered on the death of the person in respect of whom they were stamped; a receipt for any document taken away by an Investigating Officer is given when required.